Foto: SV 98 22.06.2025 / English
Kick-off at Bölle: “Now is the time to sweat in the sun”
The long wait is over! On Sunday afternoon (June 22nd), head coach Florian Kohfeldt invited his team onto the pitch at the Merck Stadium at Böllenfalltor in temperatures exceeding 30 degrees Celsius. Instead of cooling off at the outdoor pool, around 350 spectators made their way to Bölle to watch the Lilies for 60 minutes of their opening training session.
After the team began their preseason on Friday (June 20th) with numerous tests and examinations, the players now had a ball at their feet for the first time. The players entered the Merck Stadium to thunderous applause. After a warm-up program with stretching exercises, the program focused primarily on passing drills. This was followed by a game format that focused particularly on tackling, before the opening session was rounded off with a special final game. Two teams competed against each other and had to keep the ball up while running a certain distance. The winning team received loud cheers from the stands at the end.
Now we can really get started again
„I think there’s nothing better than being at the Bölle with our fans and our team. We’re starting the new season with a lot of enthusiasm and energy. Even though the players were on vacation, you could tell they’d been working hard during the break,“ said sporting director Paul Fernie.
Florian Kohfeldt’s anticipation for the start of the preseason was also clearly evident: „The boys have returned in good shape. I’m really looking forward to the summer preseason with the team,“ said the head coach, before adding: „The time to lie in the sun is over. Now it’s time to sweat in the sun.“
Foto: SV 98 
Foto: SV 98 
Foto: SV 98 
Foto: SV 98 
Foto: SV 98 All newcomers included
The spectators not only saw familiar faces, but also got a first glimpse of the new signings. Leon Klassen, Yosuke Furukawa, and Benedikt Börner were able to showcase their footballing prowess for the first time. Fabian Nürnberger and Jean-Paul Boëtius were still absent because they are or were still playing for their national teams. Boëtius will face the Dominican Republic in the CONCACAF Gold Cup tonight with Suriname. Oscar Vilhelmsson was absent due to discussions with another club, and Paul Will was absent due to illness.
From July in the training camp
Following the opening game, the focus in the coming weeks will be on getting into the best possible shape for the start of the season. The first friendly match is scheduled for June 29th, when the Lilies will face group league side SV Traisa at 2pm. Another friendly against Viktoria Aschaffenburg in Reichelsheim is scheduled for July 2nd. The match on July 9th is also fixed: At 6:30pm, the Lilies will host the traditional English club Notts County in the Merck Stadium at Böllenfalltor. This year’s SV 98 training camp will take the team to Allgäu – from July 10th to 18th, the Lilies will set up camp in Bad Wörishofen. SV 98 will announce the remaining friendly match opponents in due course.
„The referee decided the game today.“
After 13 unbeaten second-division matches, SV Darmstadt 98 suffered their first defeat this Friday evening. Three unfortunate minutes just before halftime, during which Patric Pfeiffer was sent off and Vincent Vermeij scored twice, paved the way for Dresden's victory. After the match, the focus was primarily on the differing assessments of two very similar incidents by the refereeing team – incidents which both coaches subsequently evaluated identically.
Undefeated streak ends
For the first time since October, Darmstadt 98 finished a league match without any points: SV 98 lost 3-1 (2-0) to SG Dynamo Dresden. After a controversial red card against Patric Pfeiffer (42nd minute), the home side scored two goals in first-half stoppage time to secure the victory.
Team News: Three Changes to the Team
Under the floodlights at the Rudolf-Harbig-Stadium. On Friday evening (February 27th/6:30pm), Darmstadt 98 will play away against Dynamo Dresden. Florian Kohfeldt has made three changes to his starting eleven. Raoul Petretta makes his first start, replacing Fabian Holland. Luca Marseiler starts in place of the suspended Marco Richter, and Hiroki Akiyama replaces Fraser Hornby, who is sidelined with a thigh injury. Fabian Nürnberger, Matthias Bader, and Bartosz Bialek remain unavailable due to injury.
Matchday Guide: All Information for the Dresden Game
A floodlit match at the Rudolf-Haribig-Stadion is always something special. Darmstadt 98 are aiming to take three points back to southern Hesse this Friday evening (February 27th). Kick-off is at 6:30pm. All the important information about the 24th matchday of the 2. Bundesliga is clearly summarised for you in our "Matchday Guide".
Facts & Stats: The top facts about the Dresden game
Darmstadt 98 aim to extend their unbeaten run to 14 games in Friday evening's match against Dynamo Dresden. While Darmstadt's potent attack has resulted in a respectable goal tally, they are wary at the Rudolf-Harbig-Stadion. The Saxons have been on an upward trend since the winter break and will have a vociferous home crowd behind them. We've compiled all the facts and figures surrounding this clash in this report. Here you'll find the key facts for tomorrow's match.
Fan Information for the Dresden Game
Darmstadt and Dresden are 598 kilometres apart. On Friday evening (February 27th, 6:30pm), SV Darmstadt 98 will travel to the Saxon capital for the 24th matchday of the 2nd Bundesliga. The next away game will take place under the floodlights at the historic Rudolf-Harbig-Stadion. You can find all relevant fan information here.
„Pure football romance“
Before SV Darmstadt 98 plays under floodlights in Dresden on Friday evening (27.02/18.30), Florian Kohfeldt spoke at the press conference about the strengths of Dynamo Dresden and the special atmosphere in the Rudolf-Harbig-Stadion.
“Now I’m happy in Darmstadt!” | Lilies launch their 5th tree planting campaign
Raoul Petretta joined SV Darmstadt 98 in the winter and already feels very much at home. He talks about his arrival and his goals. Besides their sporting focus, the Lilies are also committed to sustainability: On March 15, 2026, over 3,500 trees will be planted as part of the fifth "In the Sign of the Lily" tree-planting campaign. In our "Lilies Across the Board" section, we provide you with the most important news from SV Darmstadt 98 every week.
Opposition Check: SG Dynamo Dresden
Numerous Dynamo Dresden fans flock to the stadium on home match days. But one day, they came for a single reason: What should their stadium be called in the future? Tens of thousands of supporters gathered in front of the Rudolf-Harbig-Stadion, ready to cast their votes. In cooperation with regional partners, Dynamo Dresden's management took the unusual step of letting the club's supporters decide for themselves.
5th Tree Planting Campaign: Register now!
WirLilien – Together for nature conservation! Together with our partner Krombacher, we will once again plant more than 3,500 trees on Sunday (March 15th) – under the banner of the Lily. You can still register for the event at short notice.
U21: With renewed energy into the rest of the season
On Friday (February 27th, 7:30pm), SV Darmstadt 98's U21 team begins the second phase of their Hessenliga season. With 23 points after 20 matchdays, the Lilies are currently in 14th place. Following intensive weeks of winter training, the team aims to start the upcoming challenges with renewed energy and secure crucial points.
Analysis of the home victory: The resistance fighters from Bölle
A fast-paced, thrilling exchange between SV Darmstadt 98 and Fortuna Düsseldorf reached its ecstatic climax in the 88th minute. Thanks to Matej Maglica's header, Darmstadt secured a 2-1 victory in a wild battle that resembled a 12-round boxing match, with both sides neglecting their defences and constantly searching for the next hook or punch. A day later, sv98.de looks back on what was probably the most exciting home game of the season so far for the South Hessian side.